The following table demonstrates how a weighted grade is calculated. The percentage in each category is multiplied by its respective weight. The sum of these contributions is the total grade percentage.

Category Name

Percentage in Category

Weight of Category

Contribution

Homework

93%

×

.30

0.279

Quiz/Test

88%

×

.50

0.440

Exam

91%

×

.20

0.182

.901

Total

90.1%

The question that often arises is "What must I get on the final exam to bring my grade to a certain level?" Let us represent the above table as an algebraic expression using h, q, and e to represent the categories: homework, quiz/test, and exam respectively. This is done as follows: h*the weight of h + q*the weight of q + e*the weight of e = final grade. To solve for the grade on the exam, enter in the available information with x representing the grade on the final exam and the desired grade for the class. The following is an example.